Italian military cemetery in Milovice

The Italian military cemetery in Milovice is one of the largest war cemeteries in Central Europe, established in 1915 next to a prisoner-of-war camp in this town north of Prague. It commemorates tens of thousands of soldiers of different nationalities and faiths who died in the surrounding camps during the First and Second World Wars.

How to get there?

Milovice lies about 35 kilometres northeast of Prague, in the Central Bohemian Region. The town is well connected to the Czech capital by rail and road, making the cemetery an easy day-trip destination. The burial ground itself sits on the edge of town, next to former military grounds that served, over the decades, the Austro-Hungarian army, then the Czechoslovak army, and during the Cold War, Soviet forces stationed nearby.

What will you see?

The cemetery's history began in February 1915, when a prisoner-of-war camp was set up in Milovice, holding soldiers captured while fighting against Austria-Hungary, including large numbers of Italians and Russians. Harsh camp conditions, disease and outbreaks of infection led to a rapidly rising death toll, prompting the authorities to establish a permanent burial site next to the camp. The cemetery remained in use until 1945, receiving casualties from both world wars.

Around 6,500 people are buried here in total. The largest group is Italian soldiers, numbering more than 5,100, buried alongside Russians, Serbians and Austro-Hungarian soldiers from the First World War. Graves from the Second World War include German and Soviet soldiers, as well as Czechoslovak soldiers who fell in both conflicts. This national and religious diversity is reflected in the layout of the cemetery, where Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Jewish and Muslim burial sections stand side by side.

A defining feature of the Italian section is its long, symmetrical rows of identical low stone crosses, arranged in orderly blocks, overlooked by an obelisk topped with a bronze eagle. This layout, typical of Italian First World War military cemeteries, gives the site a stark yet dignified and monumental character that sets it apart from the surrounding landscape.

The cemetery remains a site of international remembrance to this day. Commemorative ceremonies are held here regularly, attended by government officials and diplomatic representatives, including delegations from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underlining the site's significance for Czech-Italian relations and for the memory of those who died in the world wars.

When to visit?

The cemetery can be visited year-round, though spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions for walking across its extensive grounds. Visitors should approach the site with the respect due to a war cemetery rather than treat it as a conventional tourist attraction.

Frequently asked questions

When was the cemetery in Milovice established? It was founded in February 1915 next to a prisoner-of-war camp, and burials continued there until 1945.

How many people are buried here? Around 6,500 soldiers rest here, mostly Italians from the First World War, alongside Russians, Serbians, Austro-Hungarians, Germans, Soviets and Czechoslovaks.

Why are so many different nationalities buried at this cemetery? Milovice was the site of a large First World War prisoner camp, and the surrounding grounds later served several different armies, which is reflected in the diverse origins of those buried there.

What is distinctive about the Italian section of the cemetery? Rows of identical low stone crosses arranged in symmetrical blocks, and an obelisk crowned with a bronze eagle, both typical of Italian First World War military cemeteries.